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Star Tribune features Fardosa Hassan in story on Muslim student advisers

Minneapolis Star Tribune - logoThe Minneapolis Star Tribune recently reported on the growing number of Muslim college students and the ways that schools, including those with Christian affiliations, are adapting to the increasing religious diversity of their student bodies. One way that colleges are improving the experiences of their Muslim students is by hiring advisers like Fardosa Hassan ’12, Muslim student program associate at Augsburg College.

The article reports that since she accepted the position last summer, Hassan has organized weekly prayer meetings for Augsburg’s Muslim students, recruited the help of a therapist and imam to undercut the idea that seeking treatment for depression is un-Islamic, and has taken Religion 100 students to visit local mosques. “Islam has called me to serve my community,” Hassan said, and her work has not gone unnoticed.

When asked about Hassan, first-year student Mohamud Mohamed ’19 said that “Fardosa is our guide. She is our connection to the outside world.”

College pastor Sonja Hagander said that given the growing number of Muslim students, “it was really key to have a Muslim student adviser.”

The article notes that nationwide more than 50 colleges, including Ivy League schools such as Yale and Princeton, have hired advisers for their Muslim students.

Read More Minnesota colleges are hiring advisers to work with Muslim students on the Star Tribune site.

Creating an inclusive campus

inclusivecampusThe Augsburg mission affirms that the College community is committed to intentional diversity in its life and work. The fourth annual “Creating an Inclusive Campus” conference, which will be held May 22-24 at Augsburg, calls us to ask what this commitment means, to celebrate what we are doing right, and to engage in dialogue about how we can continue to improve.

The opening session on Tuesday, May 22, is “Transformative Conversations: The Art of Building Bridges and Civil Spaces.” In this session, a student panel will share their experience of dialogue across differences. Participants will explore concrete skills that can support the authentic connections necessary for creating an inclusive campus community. The session will also provide an opportunity to apply the concepts of intergroup dialogue in conversations about political and religious issues that often become divisive in an election year. Continue reading “Creating an inclusive campus”

Penn Presents Mini-Convocation on Monday

elaine_pennOn Monday, Sept. 17, Augsburg College will host nationally recognized speaker, trainer and performer Elaine Penn for a mini-convocation entitled “Be the Change: Help Create a Better World.” The event will begin at 10:20 a.m. in Hoversten Chapel and will be followed by lunch and conversation in the East Commons (class schedules will not change).

The presentation will focus on diversity, leadership and building an inclusive campus community. This mini-convocation is part of an all-day event in which Elaine will also speak to student athletes, faculty and staff.

Elaine’s background as a campus professional, college coach, athlete and musician has helped her speak (and sing) with college audiences since 1996. She received her Master of Education Administration degree from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in 1988. Continue reading “Penn Presents Mini-Convocation on Monday”